Paradise Valle Taurito

Paradise Valle Taurito is one of three hotels located within the Lago Taurito water park. It has its own private pool deck, buffet restaurant, and lounge with evening shows, but shares with its sister properties access to a large common area complete with great amenities ranging from a relaxing spa to a kids’ club with activities for children and teens, and several bars. While the Lago Taurito caters mostly to families on a budget, and the Costa Taurito to couples, this property is popular with families year round, and has the most contemporary interiors of all three. 

Although simply decorated, the lobby at Valle Taurito has an upmarket finish, with a gray and brown color scheme, and minimalist decor with a few ethnic accents such as round ottomans and woven straw furniture. Homey crushed velvet couches stand out against the textured stone walls, while large windows overlooking the street make the space bright and sunny. The outdoors are also pleasant, with a large pool deck with a separate area for kids and a snack bar with outdoor seating. The pool area directly overlooks the water park, and the atmosphere can be loud even in off-peak season. 

The hotel sits on a pleasant sandy beach located between tiny Puerto de Mogan village and bustling Puerto Rico. It's a bit of a destination in its own right, and there are no restaurants, bars, or shops within easy walking distance. The immediate area is home to just a couple of other beachfront hotels -- including the sister hotels that make up this development. Public buses to Mogan, Puerto Rico, and other towns and attractions in Gran Canaria stop an easy five-minute walk from the Valle Taurito. However, a rental car will come in handy for anyone who wants to break free from the all-inclusive resort scene. Puerto Rico is a 10-minute drive away, and has a good selection of dining and drinking options, while lively Playa del Ingles in Maspalomas will take about 20 minutes to reach by car. The airport is a 35-minute drive away.

The hotel has 190 rooms decorated in a simple contemporary style with brown accents walls, and dark wooden furniture that stands out against the off-white floors. Chocolate brown headboards with lime-green backlit frames are a fun detail, but the rest of the space is more subdued and simple, with a dark palette and a couple of pops of color in bed runners and accent pillows. All units are clean and spacious and feature air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges, but Wi-Fi and safes come with extra charges. Balconies are furnished with wicker-resin furniture, some of which is a little beat up, and they offer either pool or side ocean views. Bathrooms are a bit underwhelming, with outdated beige marble tiling on walls and floors. They feature basic shower/tub combos with glass screens. Shower gel, shampoo, and hand soap come in large containers attached to the wall, and dental, shaving, and sewing kits -- along with cotton buds and shower caps -- are offered in all rooms at no extra charge.

A few features at this hotel compete for top billing, but of course the beach plays a huge role in making this a popular spot. It's wide and sandy, and situated within a cove. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available. The hotel also has a large pool deck complete with a big, deep adult pool with massage jets, and a separate area for children. A few loungers and umbrellas are available around the pool, but there aren’t enough for all guests and many feel the need to reserve them with towels at night and in the early morning hours. A poolside bar with outdoor seating offers drinks and fast food throughout the day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at the buffet restaurant, which features a varied international spread that changes every two weeks. All-inclusive options are also available.

Additionally, all guests receive free access to the resort's shared facilities. These include a water park with several slides for adults and children (the water is saltwater, FYI); a relaxing spa complete with a sauna, a steam bath, and a hydrotherapy area; a well-equipped fitness center with cardio and strength-training machines; and a kids’ club with activities for toddlers and teens. The resort also features several tennis and squash courts, along with an 18-hole mini-golf course, a bocce ball area, and a bowling alley. There are a few other dining and drinking options both at the water park and at the beach, but food and drinks there are not included in the hotel's all-inclusive rates. Evening shows are offered at the shared plaza, but with just a handful of picnic tables the area is too tight for all guests. Free Wi-Fi is available in the reception and pool areas, and the hotel features on-site parking for a fee.